The team displayed power and confidence to win the 16.9km course with a timing of 19'24" despite rainy conditions, averaging over 52km/h

The Omega-Pharma Quick-Step squad at this year's Tirreno-Adriatico consists of Mark Cavendish, Tony Martin, Niki Terpstra, Zdenek Stybar and Michal Kwiatkowski. They finished 11" faster than the Movistar team and 16" faster than the BMC racing team, living up to their current title of the UCI Team Time Trial World Champs.

Cavendish, who crossed the line first, wears the Maglia Azzurra going into Stage 2. Kwiatkowski is also the Best Young Rider.

"One name is a huge reason why we did so well today: Tony Martin," Cavendish said of the UCI World TT Champion. "He did the majority of the work, but the guys today, all of them, were just incredible. As for the planning, we did a lot of it but we didn't too much pressure on it. It was actually quite relaxing. Everyone knew what they had to do. We finished with five but everyone had a part to play. Maybe that's what makes us so good, because no one has a real ego except maybe me (laughs). For everybody, it's about getting eight guys from point A to point B as fast as possible. I'm super proud to be a part of it. For me, when there's a team time trial win, it's one of the nicest things in cycling. The whole team gets to celebrate. That's what makes this event special."

Cavendish wanted to make it clear that, while five riders out of eight crossed the line together, it was a complete team effort to win the stage.

Information: Omega-Pharma Quick-Step Team
Photos: TDWsport.com